Kolkata Knight Riders seamer Ali Khan is aiming to.achieve what Rashid Khan has achieved for Afghanistan for the United States of America.
The USA bowler, who was born in Pakistan, joined the Indian franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, for the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL), which is currently holding in the United Arab Emirates.
Khan is carrying the cricketing beacon for the US after becoming the first American international to be drafted in the Indian Premier League,
He is unfettered with the pressure on his shoulders as he is used to breaking down barriers and defying the odds.
Speaking with TMS about his unusual journey to the Indian premier event, which is the biggest cricketing competition in the world.
Khan is nicknamed ‘The Yorker Machine’ for his pinpoint accuracy; KKR went for him after showing impressive performance in the Caribbean Premier League for the Trinbago Knight Riders.
His consistency for the past three seasons has brought him to the global tournament. Khan recorded eight-wicket scalp in the CPL last season in eight matches at an economy rate of 7.43 to help Trinbago lift the trophy.
The 29-year-old, who was born in the Attock region of Pakistan, moved with his family to the USA when he was 19. His pipe dream was simple – to play elite-level cricket.
Speaking his growth, Khan was playing tape-ball cricket and never thought of being a professional cricketer as he was having fun.
Khan, who used to play with his brother and cousins on the streets, then on the rooftops, used to break windows, which led him into many troubles because they ended up coming home late.
Under the supervision of strict parents, who only wanted them to study and go to school at all times, he was able to be a cricketer.
He revealed that he was finally given the opportunity to.play cricket after contacting West Indies coach Brendon McCullum on Facebook.
All they say is now history as Khan also has featured in Twenty2 franchise cricket in West Indies, Afghanistan, Canada, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
After settling down in the US, Khan was able to find a local club in Dayton, Ohio. But he finally realized this dream of playing top-class cricket courtesy of a message he sent on Facebook to Maq Qureshi, who is the founder of the US Open T20 tournament.
He got his ticket and was given a trial, and that end of the story. Since then, his career has continued improving on a sharp trajectory.
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed
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